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1. Who is LAFCO? Is it a State agency?

Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) is a government agency chartered under State law. There is a LAFCO in each of California’s 58 counties. Under State law, LAFCOs have final authority for determining boundaries of cities and special districts.

2. How are LAFCO commissioners selected/appointed?

The Sonoma LAFCO Commission has seven members and four alternate members:
- Two members and one alternate of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, appointed by the Chair of the Board.
- Two members and one alternate of City Councils, appointed by the City Selection Committee of the Mayors and Council Members Association.
- Two members and one alternate of boards of directors of independent special districts in the County, elected by the special districts.
- One member and one alternate of the public, selected by the other members of the LAFCO Commission.

3. How are nonregistered voters’ voices heard through the LAFCO process?

The meetings of the LAFCO Commission, which are generally held once a month on the first Wednesday, are open to the public. There is always a public comment section on the agenda for non-agenda items, and agenda items usually include an opportunity for public comment. LAFCO staff is also available to the public for additional information during business hours.

4. What law established that only registered voters can submit a written protest and vote in an election regarding annexation?

The California Government Code, beginning with Section 56000, is the law that governs LAFCOs. Although LAFCOs have existed since the 1960s, the most recent iteration of the law - the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act - became effective in 2001.